Congressional candidates Carol Shea-Porter and Jeb Bradley met to debate the issues in Conway last night. More than 300 people filled the gymnasium at the Conway Elementary School.

This was the first debate between the two candidates that was free and open to the public. The event was not televised.

The candidates addressed a range of issues, including the war in Iraq, health care, education, ethics and economic policy. When asked what she would do about the $40 trillion US debt, Shea-Porter said that the first thing she would do would be to "replace the people in Congress." She stated it was ironic that Jeb Bradley is now interested in how much things will cost. "He should have asked that question four years ago," she said.

Throughout the debate, Shea-Porter questioned her opponent's understanding of present conditions in the US. "No matter what they tell us in Washington, we know the truth," she said. "We know that it is harder to get by now."